About 50 residents showed up in the multipurpose room of Columbia Middle School on June 23 for the first-ever Sunnyvale emergency preparedness workshop, jointly organized by the city, the American Red Cross and Sunnyvale neighborhood associations. The program was divided into four 20-minute sessions presented by the American Red Cross, the Sunnyvale School District, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety and the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health.

Attendees learned about SARES (Sunnyvale Amateur Radio Emergency Services). The volunteer ham radio network furnishes backup communication in an emergency when regular communication is disrupted or overloaded.

Lt. Douglas Lamar from the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety talked about Project Ark, which provides 12 emergency supply containers, known as "Arks," at school sites around the city. Each shelter is stocked with sufficient supplies to set up a mass care shelter for up to 300 people.

Peter Bassett, the city's community outreach coordinator, said the main goal of the event was to inform residents about city and community resources, such as SNAP (Sunnyvale Neighborhoods Actively Prepare), a community emergency response program, and the Red Cross emergency training program.

One of the organizers and presenters, Thom Mayer of the Lakewood Village Neighborhood Association, said the main reason for the workshop was to prepare Sunnyvale neighborhoods for the next Bay Area earthquake.

Sunnyvale lies between three of the world's most active earthquake faults, according to the city of Sunnyvale. The U.S. Geological Survey concluded that there is a 70 percent chance of at least one earthquake of a 6.7 magnitude or more striking the San Francisco Bay Area before 2030.

Mayer emphasized the importance of getting involved in neighborhood associations to prepare for such emergencies.

"My main point is that when the 'big one' hits, we may go three days without access to Sunnyvale services," Mayer said. "In that event, it is important to build relationships with our neighbors and have a rough idea of the neighborhood skill set."

Attendees were handed different kinds of preparedness workbooks and guides. They received brochures containing information on bio-terrorist attacks and epidemics such as smallpox and SARS and how to overcome them. Speakers showed the audience samples of first aid and food kits for home, office and car to be used in the event of a major disaster. They also gave checklists of things needed to handle crisis situations such as one gallon of water per person in a sturdy plastic container.

Lamar gave out an emergency preparedness workbook that gave quick and clear instructions for how to prepare for emergencies. Among other things, the book gives earthquake safety tips and tips for the elderly and the disabled. He said more specific information can be obtained from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program's website at www.ready.gov.

Francis Capili, a health education specialist with the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health, talked about possible health hazards such as the West Nile virus and anthrax.

"Education is the key to prevention," Capili said. "During times of disaster you have to be informed."

Sara Harrison, a parish nurse at a Sunnyvale church, attended the program to prepare her church population for a disaster.

"I wanted to make sure I know what is available in Sunnyvale and how one can tap into the system," Harrison said. "There was lots of good information."

Sunnyvale resident Sherry Herrgott said she thought city residents lacked awareness about how to handle emergency situations. Hergott had previously been involved with an emergency preparedness group that broke up after the 1989 earthquake. She said she wanted to refresh her knowledge about emergency preparedness.

"I want to know how to get the neighborhood back together," Herrgott said.

City spokesperson John Pilger said the workshop was in keeping with Sunnyvale's philosophy of providing a safe environment for its residents. "Sunnyvale has been rated the fifth safest city in the nation," he said.

To receive a copy of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety emergency preparedness book, call 408.730.7190 or email oes@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.